After realizing Ivan's true identity, the colonel's face turned deathly pale. Not daring to underestimate the situation any longer, he immediately issued orders:
"All troops, open fire on Tanuki with full force! One of you, report what's happening here to Vice Admiral Doberman and request his support!"
With that, the colonel took a deep breath, gripped his longsword, and charged toward Ivan.
Under the barrage of attacks, Ivan first used the Flying Thunder God technique to teleport the retired veteran to a safe location. Then, he returned in a blur of afterimages, rushing toward the crowd of Marines.
He was like a fierce tiger plunging into a flock of sheep—every move and strike effortlessly knocked out several Marines.
He even had enough control over his strength to avoid killing these low-ranking Marines, who were merely following orders.
But when it came to the high-ranking officers, Ivan showed no such mercy.
Flying Thunder God daggers shot out one after another, aimed at various corners. Following each dagger was the grim reaper, harvesting the lives of the guilty.
Whether it was a colonel or a sergeant, they were all the same in Ivan's eyes—a single Flying Thunder God Slash was enough to end their lives.
By the time Vice Admiral Doberman noticed the commotion, over a dozen officers had already been slain by Ivan.
In an instant, the entire escort unit fell into chaos!
It was at this moment that Doberman emerged from the port office, only to be greeted by the sight of a disorderly and chaotic harbor.
Before he could even utter a word of reprimand, a Flying Thunder God dagger shot toward him from an unknown direction. Immediately after, a figure radiating immense pressure appeared before Doberman, and a fist enveloped in a peculiar force field slammed down toward the vice admiral!
Boom!
From the start of the battle until now, the most intense and critical clash had finally begun!
Amid the rubble, a sharp Flying Slash burst forth from the ground, shredding the surrounding debris into pieces.
Doberman's figure flickered faintly amidst the dust. His eyes filled with disgust, he glared intently at Ivan:
"Tanuki, you bastard, what are you doing here?"
Ivan adjusted his mask, his icy gaze piercing through his fingers as he stared at Doberman:
"Wherever there is evil, I will appear. And the evil on you has become so tangible—you hardly resemble a Marine at all."
Doberman sneered, "Don't joke around. I've long known your purpose—you're here for the Celestial Gold!"
Ivan did not deny it, silently watching Doberman.
Whether Ivan answered or not mattered little to Doberman. Gripping his sword with both hands, his expression twisted into a snarl, the cross-shaped scar on his cheek contorting:
"Never mind, it's not important. I'm just surprised you'd dare to seize the Celestial Gold by force.
Don't tell me you truly believe that with that bizarre spatial teleportation ability of yours, you can act without restraint!
Let me tell you, the Marines have already devised a way to counter that strange spatial teleportation!
One Sword Style: Iaido!"
Ivan frowned slightly, unsure what method the Marines had come up with to counter his Flying Thunder God.
A piercing Flying Slash shot toward him at incredible speed. With no time to think, Ivan hurled a Flying Thunder God dagger.
But the moment the dagger left his hand, it suddenly changed direction, flying straight toward a peculiar iron device at the center of the port.
At the same time, a lieutenant rushed toward the device and smashed the dagger to pieces with a single punch.
Therefore, Ivan was unable to use Flying Thunder God and had no choice but to directly withstand Doberman's Flying Slash.
Seeing his attack land on Ivan, Doberman laughed excitedly:
"Hahaha, your spatial teleportation ability relies solely on those specially crafted daggers. As long as I can use magnetism to restrain and destroy them, you'll completely lose that ability!
How does it feel now? Getting slashed isn't pleasant, is it? Perhaps if you kneel and beg for mercy, willingly reveal information about the Shadow Garden, I might just give you a chance and let you live!
What do you think?"
Doberman excitedly looked toward the smoke stirred up by the Flying Slash, waiting for Ivan's response.
He had carefully studied the battle between Tanuki and Admiral Kizaru, believing that Tanuki was merely fast and that his frontal combat ability was likely inferior to that of a headquarters vice admiral.
This time, he had successfully ambushed Ivan using magnetism. Perhaps he could really capture Tanuki and bring him to justice!
"Not great." However, from within the morning mist came a message of refusal. "You don't actually think that aside from spatial teleportation, my true strength is weak, do you?"
At that moment, the dust finally cleared, and Ivan's figure appeared before everyone.
The instant they saw Ivan, including Doberman, everyone's jaws dropped wide open as they stared at him in disbelief.
Because, after being hit by Doberman's Flying Slash, only Ivan's black cloak was torn with numerous gashes, while beneath the cloak, his sturdy body bore only faint white marks!
Doberman's full-force attack had failed to penetrate his defense!
Ivan brushed the dust off himself and slowly rose into the air.
Hovering at a low altitude, he looked down at Doberman with a disdainful curl of his lips:
"Sorry, I thought I'd just been bitten by a mosquito."
Instantly, cold sweat drenched Doberman's forehead. He felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss, a chill spreading throughout his entire body.
This is trouble!
This guy... this guy is stronger than he anticipated, far stronger!
"Ahhh, die!" Under immense pressure, Doberman decided to strike first. "One Sword Style: Short Cut!"
A piercing whistle echoed through the air as a Flying Slash carrying terrifying force shot toward Ivan at high speed.
Ivan showed no intention of dodging. His fist, coated in darkness like a siege hammer, smashed toward the Flying Slash:
"Life Force Field: Heavy Pressure!"
The Life Force Field greatly amplified Ivan's punching power. The terrifyingly powerful Flying Slash couldn't withstand even a breath under the overwhelming force of his fist, shattering instantly.
The remaining force of the punch surged toward Doberman. Under its pressure, his face rapidly contorted and began to bleed.
With that single punch, Doberman was sent flying once more, his energy plummeting sharply.
"Cough, cough, cough..." Doberman struggled to prop himself up, gazing fearfully at Ivan, who was flying low, his eyes emitting a crimson glow as he drifted closer.
Gritting his teeth, Doberman swung his sword again, pushing his Swordsman Master abilities to their limit.
However, these attacks, capable of splitting small mountains, were easily handled by Ivan, posing no real threat to him.
After a brief battle, Doberman completely lost the ability to resist. Collapsed on the ground, blood gushing from his mouth, he looked up at Ivan and suddenly asked with a hint of anticipation:
"Wait, I'm a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, I know many secrets. These secrets would definitely be useful to Shadow Garden. If you spare my life, I'll tell you everything!"
However, in response to his plea, Ivan merely sneered, "Are you dreaming right now?"
"Why can't you give me a chance?"
"Did you give that retired veteran a chance?"
"Just because of that?" Doberman couldn't understand at all.
"Exactly because of that!"
A blazing Heat Vision surged forth, slicing across Doberman's neck.
Thus, this infamous and ruthless Vice Admiral of the seas met his end!
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